Former Warrior David Lee is all smiles in Dallas

DALLAS - David Lee was asked how to slow down the Warriors’ juggernaut of an offense that leads the league in points, assists and three-point shooting, and the new Mavericks’ forward had a little fun at his own expense.

“I ran shootaround this morning,” Lee joked about nine hours before the Mavericks host the Warriors on Friday night. “No, I knew a couple of the play calls, and that’s about as much as I know.

“If we’re relying on me defensively to give the blueprint for much of anything, we might be in trouble.”

Lee is a good mood these days, having averaged 11.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 19.6 minutes of 11 games with the Mavericks. He was waived by Boston after being dealt there this summer following five franchise-changing seasons with the Warriors.

Dallas plays March 25 at Oracle Arena, when Lee will finally get his 2015 championship ring. Warriors point guard Stephen Curry will present the ring during a pregame ceremony.

“I’ve certainly waited long enough, right?” Lee joked. “It’s been like the entire season, but it’s going to be a really cool thing to sort of put an end stamp on what happened last year and to be able to celebrate in front of the fans at Oracle.”

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry talks to Boston Celtics' David Lee after Warriors 124-119 double overtime win in NBA game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on Friday, December 11, 2015.

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry talks to Boston Celtics' David Lee after Warriors 124-119 double overtime win in NBA game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on Friday, December 11, 2015.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

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Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry talks to Boston Celtics' David Lee after Warriors 124-119 double overtime win in NBA game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on Friday, December 11, 2015.

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry talks to Boston Celtics' David Lee after Warriors 124-119 double overtime win in NBA game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on Friday, December 11, 2015.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

Former Warrior David Lee is all smiles in Dallas

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Lee said he’ll “probably find a way to play” against the Warriors, despite a right groin strain. He’s staying at the same hotel as the Warriors, so he caught up with a bunch of his former teammates Thursday night.

He also was in consistent contact with Steve Kerr when the Warriors’ head coach took a leave of absence to deal with a spinal fluid leak at the beginning of the season.

“Considering my playing time, you’d think I couldn’t stand the guy,” Lee said. “I’m kidding. He’s a really good guy, and especially after winning a championship together, that bond will always exist. Coach was always upfront and very fair with me last year, and then, when he came to me and needed something in the playoffs, I was able to deliver. We have a really good relationship.”

Lee appears to be developing those types of relationships in Dallas, too. He’s played especially well in pick-and-roll sets with the teams’ backup guards. And, he’s gotten the approval of the dean of the locker room.

“This locker room starts and stops with Dirk (Nowitzki),” Lee said. “He’s the one who sets the tone for everything, being the veteran that he is and the player that he is. He has a similar sort of mindset and disposition as Steph Curry. He’s a guy who doesn’t have a huge ego, but he knows he’s the best player on the team. That sets the tone for the entire locker room.”